Michael Larner earned his Master’s Degree in Viticulture & Enology at the University of California, Davis and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His formal training in wine continued with cellar apprenticeships at Marchesi Antinori’s Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Bolgheri, Tuscany) and E. Guigal’s Château d’Ampuis (Rhône Valley, France). He previously worked with Santa Ynez-based wineries Babcock Winery and Rusack Vineyards. He has been making wine since 1999. 

Michael is co-founder of the Ballard Canyon AVA and recently served as president of this newly-founded AVA (American Viticulture Area). Ballard Canyon is one of our nation’s smallest AVAs and is focused on the production of quality Syrah. Michael is currently vice president of the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association and served as its president from 2010-2014. Michael founded the Buellton Bodegas in 2013, a truly unique co-operative winery with 13 small production wineries. 

Michael teaches winemaking and wine appreciation classes at Allan Hancock College. He has served as a wine judge at Vinitaly in Verona (Italy) and the California State Fair in Sacramento.